Government refutes plans to dissolve parliament: Bandula

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has no plans to amend the Constitution to extend his term of office or hold a snap general election as reported, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

'Buddha Rashmi' Vesak Zone opens

The Gangaramaya ’Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone was declared open by President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Twenty trees fallen in Colombo due to inclement weather

At least 20 trees in the Colombo city had fallen due to inclement weather conditions that prevailed during the past few days.

Train-motorcycle collision leaves three youths dead

Tragedy struck at the Pinthaliya railway crossing in Boossa when a train collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of three young individuals, according to police.

China , Sri Lanka celebrate tea for harmony

On the occasion of the ’’International Tea Day’’ on May 21st, 2024, China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka held “Tea for Harmony”—Yaji Cultural Salon event opening ceremony in Colombo recently.

Vesak Day search operations lead to detection of Rs.5.1 Mn worth cigarettes at BIA

A special search operation carried out on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officials at the airport led to two detections of counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs.5.1 million, involving a man and woman respectively returning from Dubai and India.

India in talks with Sri Lanka to acquire graphite mines

India is in talks with Sri Lanka to acquire graphite mines in the island nation. The demand for graphite is steadily increasing, as it is the most common material used for anodes in lithium-ion and other batteries.

Main reservoir water capacity increases to 80%

With the current higher rainfall, the total water capacity of the main reservoirs in the country have reached to 80 percent, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara Bandara said.

Generator fumes suffocate sleeping father, son to death

A young man and his father who had gone to bed with a standby power generator running were found dead last morning in the room.

Rice Dansala in Pettah...

The annual rice Dansala organised by the Pettah Eksath Bodhiraja Society being held at the Pettah today with the participation of a large crowd. The Danasala will continue till tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Shah Rukh Khan admitted to Ahmedabad Hospital due to heat stroke

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad after suffering a heat stroke. The actor was in Ahmedabad to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between his Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Government to complete stalled Hyatt Hotel project with military aid

In response to the delays in several high-profile urban development projects like Colombo Hyatt Hotel, State Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Arundika Fernando said If an appropriate investor does not emerge, the government is prepared to proceed with completion with the assistance of the armed forces, with financing from the treasury.

LPL Season 5 confirmed to proceed amidst ownership transition

Innovative Production Group FZE (IPG), the Event Rights Partner of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), has affirmed that despite recent developments with regards to the arrest of a co-owner of the Dambulla franchise, LPL Season 5 will proceed as planned.

Prisoners released

Several prisoners were released from the Welikada Prison today to mark the Vesak Poya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tree uprooted in Maitland Crescent...

Inclement weather conditions uprooted a tree along Maitland Crescent today. The tree was cleared by the CMC officials later. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Antibiotic injection withheld following tragic death

Colombo, May 23 (Daily Mirror) - A thirty-one-year-old male, admitted to National Hospital in Colombo for treatment of burn injuries following an accident, died shortly after receiving an antibiotic injection, sources said.

Over 36,000 breakdowns during last three days: Minister

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has reported over 36,900 breakdowns resulting in power interruptions to more than 300,000 consumers in the last three days due to the inclement weather, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijsekara said today.

Kadala Dansala

People were seen savoring the flavor of Kadala at a Dansala in Homagama. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Karapitiya Hospital to be designated as National Hospital: Bandula

The Cabinet has approved the proposal to develop the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital as a National Hospital, Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardane said today.

Animal Rights activists go before SC to mitigate Human Elephant Conflict

Animal rights activists filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court challenging the failure of the authorities, including the Department of Wildlife Conservation, to mitigate the human-elephant conflict and reduce the number of elephant deaths per year.

Vesak Poya Day...

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo to mark the Vesak Poya Day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

All must unite to heal and rebuild the country: President

Regardless of race, religion, caste or political affiliations, all Sri Lankans must unite to heal and rebuild the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

‘ISIS operatives’ were booked for gold, drug smuggling in past: ATS

Two days after arresting four Sri Lankan nationals suspected to be ISIS operatives, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Wednesday said that all the accused have been previously booked in gold and drug smuggling cases.

Customs will begin auction preparations next week

Preliminary work related to conducting all auctions in the Customs Department will be started next week, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Dawson Bungalow to be sold?

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kabir Hashim in Parliament yesterday questioned about an alleged move to sell off the historical Dawson Bungalow situated in the Kegalle District.

Today is Vesak Full Moon Poya Day

Today is Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, a significant and sacred event for Buddhists around the world.

150mm of rain witnessed around the country today

The southwest monsoon conditions are gradually establishing over the island and heavy showers of about 150 mm will be observed in the Sabaragamuwa Province and in the Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts during the day.

Leading foreign- funded NGOs spending unchecked

A number of leading NGOs funded by various foreign sources for projects such as gender rights, human rights and democratic governance have been registered only as guaranteed companies under the registrar of Companies leaving the National NGO Secretariat in the lurch in having a check on their expenses and activities, a top source said.

Sri Lanka to sign debt restructuring MoU with bilateral creditors before IMF review next month

The government is to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) of the Paris Club of Nations and the Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM Bank) for restructuring the country’s debts before the completion of the IMF Executive Board review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement next month, a top source said.

CB launches SL’s first-ever Financial Literacy Roadmap

The Central Bank on Tuesday launched Sri Lanka’s first-ever Financial Literacy Roadmap (2024-2028), in particular targeting to promote financial literacy among the youth and women in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sectors.